Not even close to the original in generating theatrical excitement--and Matt Cavenaugh is vocally miscast (softly crooning "Something's Coming" and "Maria" doesn't work for these numbers: they require VOICE)--but it's hardly the worst recording of the score either (that dubious honor goes to the 2007 studio recording from Decca Broadway--with Leonard Bernstein's own 1985 recording on Deutsche Grammophon as runner-up).
Awesome recording. Best recording ever of WSS
THIS IS THE WORST RECORDING OF THE LEONARD BERNSTEIN SCORE. THE LEAD VOCALISTS CAN HARDLY BE HEARD. THEY WISPER. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO GET THIS RIGHT?????????
Review
I think the songs sound lovely and beautiful in their own way, but there are times when they over-do it. I love Josefina Scaglione's (Maria) voice, but sometimes it sounds thin at times [I admit my singing voice isn't any better, but anyways]. I enjoy the vibrato in Matt Cavenaugh's (Tony) voice, but it sounds over done at times. I admit I have grown to love the spanish lyrics, but there are times I want to hear the full songs in english since the english lyrics bring back many memories in my middle school days. I was 85/100 satisfied with this album, I wish they could include the english versions as well. Although the album wasn't fully satisfying, I prefer watching it live since I actually see the emotions, get to experience it and hear them live. (Unless I've been in LaLa land and they're lipsynching instead)
I wish Anita in Un Hombre Asi would sing her part in spanish while Maria sings in english, because I loved hearing Maria sing, "I hear your and in my head I know they're smart, but my heart Anita, but heart. Knows they're wrong and my heart is the song where I belong, to him alone, to him alone. One thing i know, I am his, I don't care what he is. I don't know why it's so I don't want to know."